After the Wedding

buying a home

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you and your spouse will make during your lifetime.  The first step is to sit down together with a lender to discuss your financial situation and determine how much you can afford and what you will need to save for the down payment. If you want to figure this out by yourselves, you can estimate the cost by multiplying your annual income(s) by 2.5. The down payment is usually between 5 and 10 percent of that total. However, the bigger your down payment, the smaller the mortgage and your monthly payment will be. It is wise to visit your lender before you begin to look, so that you know your price range ahead of time.

After you’ve determined what you can afford, the next step is the search. Start your search by listing your preferences, such as location, size, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc. This will help narrow your selection. However, keep in mind that your first home may not fulfill your every wish. Also, if you plan to start a family within the next few years, look for a home with enough bedrooms or a home with room to expand. After you have your ideal house in mind, you may start the search, either on your own, or with the help of a realtor, buyer broker or broker agent.

The search is on. While you look at houses, always take notes. After looking at many houses, it is easy to confuse them. Also, be sure to ask questions! The only dumb questions are those that have not been asked. Before buying any house, have it inspected by a professional who will check any details you may have overlooked.

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